Need Help with Your Energy Bills? We Can Help.

It’s been a crazy and unpredictable winter. Remember the temperatures in the 60s in late December, the 20-plus inches of snow in one day in January, and the deep cold snap in February?

(Hopefully March won’t have any late surprises for us – but, the way things have been going, you never know.)

One thing a challenging winter can do is drive up utility bills. And that can be a big concern, especially for those on fixed or limited incomes.

If you’re in that situation, don’t worry. We recognize that extreme weather can have an impact on your bill. And we want you to know that a variety of assistance programs are available.

One noteworthy program is called LIHEAP, or the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It’s run by the U.S. government, and makes free heating bill help available to customers who meet income eligibility guidelines. (Check out the guidelines at pplelectric.com/billhelp, or call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095 for more info.)

LIHEAP offers two types of grants – cash grants of up to $1,000, and crisis grants of up to $500. It’s a little-known fact that eligible customers can obtain one of each grant. You’re not limited to one or the other.

However, there is one LIHEAP limit you need to know: You have to apply by April 1 to be eligible for a grant. So, if LIHEAP can help you, don’t delay.

Another option for those behind on their bills is PPL Electric Utilities’ OnTrack program. This program offers reduced monthly payments, giving you a chance to get back on track. The program is administered through local agencies, and you can apply by mail – no meeting needed. OnTrack, like LIHEAP, has income eligibility guidelines.

Another option you might want to consider is budget billing. When you sign up for this program, you’ll pay a fixed monthly amount, based on a 12-month average of your electricity use. Budget billing doesn’t change how much you owe, but it smooths out the ups and downs of your bill and reduces the chance that a change in the weather will catch you by surprise. It’s open to all customers.

Guidelines for these and other assistance programs can be found online at pplelectric.com/billhelp. Or, call us at 1-800-DIAL-PPL (342-5775) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we can talk you through the options.

You never know when the cold of winter or the heat of summer will force you to dial up your energy use. But if that happens, there are programs in place to help.

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